About Us

Exultate Chamber Singers

Since 1981, the Exultate Chamber Singers have garnered praise from all quarters for sensitive, precise and seamless performances. The choir was founded by and led for 30 years by conductor and organist John Tuttle. In 2011, the choir welcomed New Zealand native Dr. Karen Grylls as artistic director while she was visiting Canada on an academic sabbatical. In 2013, Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt, head of choral activities at the University of Toronto, was appointed as artistic director. The choir is enriched not only by the excellent musicianship of its members but also by their varied academic and professional backgrounds. Together, they form a passionate, committed ensemble with a wide-ranging repertoire. In April 2004, Exultate repeated its 2000 triumph at the CBC National Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs, winning both First Prize in the Chamber Choir Category and the Healey Willan Grand Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts. The choir also placed second in the finals of the 2002 competition.

In addition to presenting its subscription series, Exultate has made regular guest appearances around Ontario, including the Colours of Music Festival in Barrie, the Elora Festival and Roy Thomson Hall’s Choir & Organ series. Exultate has also toured to Prince Edward Island, participating in three concerts at the Indian River Festival in the summer of 2003, at the invitation of artistic director/pianist Robert Kortgaard. All three performances were broadcast on CBC Radio Two’s “In Performance.” The choir has released four CDs to date.

The Exultate Outreach Fund, which was established in 2002 to support initiatives that contribute to the growth and development of choral music in Canada, encompasses a Choral Composition Competition and a scholarship program for promising young musicians. In the 2009-2010 season, Exultate proudly supported four gifted students at the Regent Park School of Music in Toronto. At the final concert of the 2008-2009 season, the choir performed the winning work in the fourth Choral Composition Competition, a piece by Stephanie Martin. In 2011-2012, the choir was pleased to work with The Toronto Children’s Chorus as part of the outreach initiative.

Exultate is a member of Choirs Ontario and is grateful for the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.